Events
Educational Programs at
the New England Quilt Museum
The New England Quilt Museum offers a variety of programs for students and scouts. Museum tours and hands-on activities provide for a meaningful experience and foster an understanding of the history, design and artistry of quilts.
A Scavenger Hunt for school aged children is always available at the Admission Desk. Children learn about patterns and techniques from the quilts in the featured exhibit and the permanent collection. They explore the galleries, answer questions, record their favorite patterns and design a quilt of their own.
Tours
Grade 1 – 6: All About Quilts
Museum staff shares fabrics, quilt blocks and quilts for the students to examine and touch before visiting the exhibition. Students then walk through the galleries, search for different fabric designs and quilt patterns to complete the Scavenger Hunt and draw a quilt of their own incorporating their favorite quilts on view. When time permits, there are quilt related stories for the students to read as well as fabric puzzles, pattern puzzles and word games to play together.
Parents or teachers may call the museum to book a field trip and plan the visit. Allow 45-60 minutes for the visit.
Fee: $5.00 per student (minimum of 10 students)
Grade 3 – 8: The FUNdamentals of Quilting (for students)
Museum staff and trained volunteers share fabrics and sample quilts with the students before they walk through the galleries and complete the Scavenger Hunt.
To introduce the basics of quilting, the museum provides crayons, fabric markers and fabrics for the project. Both patchwork and appliqué are readily integrated into art, geography, history/social studies, math, reading or science curriculum. The activity is designed to complement the teacher’s curriculum objectives. For example, students may design their quilt blocks to feature a landscape, historical or current event, Tangrams, or book cover!!
Parents or teachers may call the museum to schedule a hands-on activity to take place in the museum’s classroom. Allow 2 hours for the tour and project.
Fee: $10 per student (minimum of five students required)
Scout Programs
Scout troops are always welcome at the museum. Troop leaders are encouraged to guide their scouts through the galleries to complete the Scavenger Hunt. Visit the museum’s library for additional information about quilts and related books for young readers.
Admission: $7 per adult and $5 per scout
Grade 2 – 8: The FUNdamentals of Quilting (for scouts)
This one-day activity program meets for up to three hours to introduce the basics of quilting. Museum staff and trained volunteers share fabrics and sample quilts with the scouts before they walk through the galleries and complete the Scavenger Hunt.
The museum provides fabrics, needles and pins for the project. The troop leader may arrange for the scouts to assemble a needlebook or pillow. The objective is to teach scouts the basic techniques for sewing their badges, fixing buttons and hems, etc.
Fee: $10 per scout (minimum of five scouts required)
Grade 2 – 8: Badges
This multi-week workshop may be designed by the troop leader(s) with museum staff to meet specific badge objectives and requirements. The troop meets at the museum for two hours once a week (or on an agreed upon schedule) and some sewing may be done at home or in scout meetings between sessions.
The first week, scouts learn about The FUNdamentals of Quilting, complete the Scavenger Hunt, and begin sewing their individual needlebooks for storing their own needles, pins and thread. In subsequent weeks, the project is tailored for the badge requirements.
For a quilt project, the scouts select their fabrics, learn to hand sew nine-patch quilt patterns and simple applique. The girls may opt to assemble their quilt blocks into a small quilt or pillow. Then, the quilt squares are sewn together by hand and machine.
Fabric, patterns and related supplies are provided. Contact the museum for fee information.
Quilting Programs for Home-Schooled Students
Home-schooled families are always welcome at the museum. Parents are encouraged to guide their children through the galleries to complete the Scavenger Hunt. Visit the museum’s library for additional information about quilts as well as American history, women’s history and related books for young readers.
Admission: $7 per adult and $5 per student
Grade 3 – 8: Quilting Class
Parents of home-schooled students may organize a group of five or more for a six-week quilting class. The program typically runs two hours per session during regular museum hours. The class objective may be designed in conjunction with art, geography, history/social studies, math, reading or science curriculum.
The first week, students learn about The FUNdamentals of Quilting, complete the Scavenger Hunt, and begin sewing their individual needlebooks for storing their own needles, pins and thread.
In subsequent weeks, students select a variety of fabrics, design patchwork quilt blocks, and learn the basics of hand sewing. Students arrange their blocks and assemble them by machine to complete a small quilt. The final week is set aside for their quilt show and a presentation to friends and family about their individual project.
Fabric, patterns and related supplies are provided. Contact the museum for fee information.
If you would like to schedule a visit or request any additional information about any of the above programs, contact Rhonda Galpern, Outreach Program Manager at outreach@nequiltmuseum.org or 978-452-4207, ext 17.